To use multimedia and interactivity learners must be equipped with modern devices that enable to display the content. In addition, it must be possible to work with this content, which includes not only viewing and reading but also saving, changing or creating new content.
The extent to which these activities are carried out often depends on the type of training. Language learning, for example, might be structured differently than learning scientific content.
The first step in our project is to get an overview about the used devices in modern, technology-enhanced learning. Therefore, we did a small survey among trainers, friends and former or current project partners.
You still may contribute to the brainstorming survey. Use the QR-Code and enter your prefered device in this AnswerGarden form.
We got the official Erasmus+ Partner Plate for our new project “Flipped Adult Education”.
The project will start with November 1, 2018 and run until October 31, 2020. The “Flipped Adult Education” project FADE-in takes a look at the horizon of educational developments and takes in account the innovation of the last ten years. This causes to shift the training methods and training activities. Simple onsite teaching courses or technology enhanced blended learning courses must be brought to the state of the art.
Thought to its very end this should be active teaching, a heutagogical approach with self-determining learners, the use of multimedia and a change of the roles of trainer and learner. The trainer will act more as a facilitator of the learning, the learners will use technology to create self-directed learning. The consortium calls this a flipping of learning following the ideas on Jon Bergmann, published in his book Flipped Learning 2.0 (addressing Vocational Education and Training).
For Adult Education (EA) flipped concepts do not exist and are not yet published. Therefore, the consortium of 4 completely different AE providers is going to develop these concepts in a versatile way and to publish the findings in an eBook (as OER to contribute to open education).
The objectives of the FADE-in project are to develop a course concepts to adult learning using a flipped approach. This means active and self-directed learning, to “flip” the roles (Trainer => Facilitater, Learner => Self-determining adult with self-responsibility for their learning (heutagogical approach). The Global Flipped Learning Initiative (GFLI) with Jon Bergman (the developer of Flipped
Learning) will be an associated partner in the project and impact with the state-of-the-art knowledge and experience of “flipping the learning”.
As an organization intensively involved in eLearning we permanently check the quality of our courses and try to amend the quality. One issue is the communication – here mainly the contact between the learners and the tutor.
In fact, we were sure that the best method is a forum where learners can ask the trainer. The result of a questionnaire (conducted in the frame of a Grundtvig Multilateral Project) the results prove our current opinion – but not fully.
Do women prefer to talk?
In an eLearning course, there is always the problem of the support of the learners. Sometimes, learners want to contact their tutor or the have a problem and need help from their trainer or teacher. Which method – do you think – is the best one?
There are several methods available and you have to select the best one. Here is the list of possibilities:
Telephone
Skype
Forum
Chat
Here are two synchronous and two asynchronous methods mentioned.
Chat
Forum
Skype
Telephone
Female
15 %
63,2 %
17 %
5 %
Male
12 %
72,0 %
13 %
3 %
The behavior is similar: the majority prefers forums. Here the preference of male participants is about 10 percent higher as the female answers.
Female participants in the opposite show a higher percentage of skype preferences – they prefere to talk.
If you check the differences between synchronous and asynchronous communication you will find a six percent higher level of preferences for synchronous methods at the female users.
Technology is a fact in learning. Multiple devices varying in size, power, and functionality can be found frequently used by learners.
Here is an overview about eLearning advantages (we always compare eLearning with pure face-to-face classroom teaching). The list is split into three parts respecting the different target groups involved in eLearning. The summary is based on modern eLearning courses using an optimized platform (that does not really exist) and well done courses using a lot or multimedia elements and interactivity.
Advantages of eLearning (learner’s view)
Learner actively involved in his/her e-learning
Interactivity and attractiveness of eLearning content
Flexibility and adaptability according to availability (time, location)
Training at own pace, independently of other learners
Self-assessment during and at end of course
Personal progress monitoring during eLearning course and appraisal of results obtained thanks to tracking
Tutorial support on demand (if necessary)
Contact to other learners (if planned and necessary)
No travel costs
Advantages of eLearning (company’s view)
“Mass” training (big number of learners)
Savings relative to classroom-based training indirect costs (travel, accommodation, etc.)
Flexibility and adaptability according to learner availability (time, location)
Customization and adjustment of training courses to predefined skills and teaching goals
Low logistical constraints (no room booking, employee travel, accommodation, etc.)
Precise course reporting and automated results analysis thanks to tracking (based on the eLearning platform)
Durable and updatable teaching materials (often reuseable)
Advantages of eLearning (trainer’s view)
Prerequisites for assessing learner levels
Training performed on interactive and attractive tools for both trainer and learners
Flexibility and adaptability according to availability (time, location) especial for the tutorial support
Techology is a fact in teaching and expected by learners.
eLearning, with all its characteristics defining its advantages and disadvantages was a major breakthrough in academic education and professional training. Various Universities worldwide have incorporated eLearning solution in their curriculum and commercial companies from different fields of business have also integrated this method in their staff training programs to further enhance and develop the skills and knowledge of their workforce which can significantly contribute in the company growth in terms of production and profit.
One of the advantages of eLearning is its flexibility which allows any people willing to study but with always a limited time can access education and training by using eLearning tools and modules related to the field he or she wants to study. For students, this is major advantage in trimming down tuition fee expenses and other miscellaneous fees related to their academic pursuit.
eLearning includes all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching. eLearning is the computer and network-enabled transfer of skills and knowledge. eLearning applications and processes include Web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual education opportunities and digital collaboration. Content is delivered via the Internet, intranet/extranet, audio or video tape, satellite TV, and CD-ROM. It can be self-paced or instructor-led and includes media in the form of text, image, animation, streaming video and audio.
In eLearning environments learners interact with learning materials, their instructors and other learners from various locations and often at various times using network technologies. So by its nature, eLearning offers significant flexibility as to when and how learning occurs. eLearning can include independent, facilitated, or collaborative approaches to learning.
eLearning can be asynchronous (meaning learners are experiencing the learning at different times) or synchronous (meaning learners are experiencing the learning at the same time) or it can incorporate both drawing on the strengths of each. Independent learning is, by definition, asynchronous. Facilitated and collaborative can be either asynchronous or synchronous learning.
The project developes C-VET training courses for training performed in formal and in non-formal C-VET education. These courses use Blended Learning as a technology enhanced method and focus on the use of multiple devices (as used by the trainees an everyday life). The innovation is the implementation of a trainee-focusing pedagogical framework based on heutagogy, the development of an all-encompassing quality enhancement framework (including also the pedagogy) and the approach to the diversity of various technical equipment (the multiple devices). The project is complementary to a Grundvig Multilateral project by transferring the theoretical developed outputs to a practical implementation in a different (but similar) educational sector.
The project combines knowledge and experience from VET training institutions with the research and innovation potential of universities.
The applicant SAFA is an important Spanish school foundation focusing on school and vocational education,
EFQBL is a VET and trainers education organisation and was founded as a dissemination tool out from a Blended Learning Multerlateral Grundtvig Project,
DigiLab from the University La Sapienza and the
University of Aveiro are specialised in innovation in technology enhanced training and the related pedagogy.
SADE is a specialist in Distance Learning and quality enhancement frameworks.
These participants ensure a consortium well-distributed in Europe.
The project results impact to the trainer community in Europe providing innovative and modern training (based on Blended Learning and including workplace-based training) with a technology enhanced approach to training using multiple devices.
EBI/EIE was founding member of the EFQBL and still is close connected to this organisation.
Web page of the project
TIBL Project Logo
The webpage of the project offers considerations about Blended Learning, the use of multiple devices, pedagogical considerations in context with the training and the specific training conditions in web-based C-VET training and the working trainees.
The created project results including the developed toolbox are free for use.
